PMC issues world’s first ISO 12647 in the flexo sector

Packaging Solutions

Print and Media Certification (PMC) has issued the first UKAS accredited ISO 12647 certification in the flexographic sector to YRG Group at its York Repro-Graphic site. The certification is also the first for a specialist flexo reprographics and plate supplier and was awarded for Version 2 of the BPIF’s expanded ISO 12647 colour quality management certification scheme. The latest version of the BPIF scheme now takes in all the ISO 12647 print standards, production methods and pre-press processes.

YRG Group Ltd’s systems and operations were audited by PMC’s specialist audit team at a two stage initial audit, who were impressed by what they found. PMC’s colour/certification manager Jon Stack commented, ‘PMC is delighted to have issued certification for the BPIF ISO 12647 colour quality management certification scheme to YRG Group Ltd, who therefore have the distinction of achieving the first UKAS accredited certification for ISO 12647 to have been issued in the flexographic sector, and the first issued to a specialist in reprographics in that sector. PMC's audit team was highly impressed by the sophisticated systems implemented by YRG in its operations, and the capabilities it has developed to enable flexographic printers to achieve ISO 12647 compliant production, as well as being impressed by the company's commitment to continual improvement through the Colour Quality System.’

He added, ‘The current version of the BPIF ISO 12647 scheme now gives the opportunity to all printers, including flexographic and digital, and suppliers of reprographics, design agencies and specialist plate makers to demonstrate colour quality through a recognised and independent third party certification.

‘The scheme is simply a bolt on to ISO 9001 requirements, and the requirements of the scheme can be integrated easily into an existing ISO 9001 system, or indeed any ISO management system, as the management system structure has now been harmonised across standards by ISO.

‘The ISO 12647 scheme has taken a global lead in putting together a set of colour quality system requirements, which can be applied in all printers, and an accredited certification approach, which gives customers real confidence in the certified printers supplying them. Printers are even able to make claims of product colour compliance on specific jobs to their customers, with the backing of a UKAS accredited product certification, which is therefore fully recognised on a global basis.’

Group quality and HSE manager at YRG, Clare Proctor, commented: ‘YRG Group is delighted to achieved the first UKAS accredited certification for ISO 12647 in the flexographic sector, and the first issued to a specialist in reprographics in that sector.

‘YRG Group was very impressed with how PMC conducted the ISO 12647 audit. The level of detail, knowledge and understanding of our processes was very impressive. Any audit is a daunting process but PMC made us feel very comfortable and made the process as smooth as possible. PMC has now given us the confidence to push forward with further ISO certification for our sites.’

PMC is also UKAS accredited to certify management systems standards, such as ISO 9001 and 14001, combining these audits with ISO 12647 to cut customers’ audit time and costs, particularly if the ISO 9001 or 14001 certification is awarded by PMC. Transfers of existing certifications from other certification bodies to PMC are free of charge, with PMC simply taking over the existing audit schedule and issuing its own certificates accordingly.

PMC also conducts product compliance testing to ISO 12647 standards, to provide the stepping stone to full UKAS accredited ISO 12647 certification, and has developed the PMC Certified Colour Champion programme, a range of generic training courses, designed to raise competence in colour management and understanding of ISO 12647 standards and the BPIF scheme.